{"id":2,"date":"2023-03-09T19:50:46","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T19:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lookbeyondpublications.com\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2025-01-02T20:39:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T20:39:05","slug":"life-lessons-from-darla","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lookbeyondpublications.com\/index.php\/home-page\/life-lessons-from-darla\/","title":{"rendered":"Life Lessons from Darla"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Look beyond our differences and honor our\u00a0<\/span>similarities. <\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n

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Look beyond our differences and honor our\u00a0<\/span>similarities. <\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n

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Life Lessons\u00a0from Darla<\/h1>\n

By Mary Salz<\/h4>\n

<\/h1>\n

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Shock. That was Darla\u2019s first reaction when her carefree childhood was disrupted by cancer. Her life became a roller coaster of intense emotions. Sadly, she lost her leg and, ultimately, faced death. During her illness, we shared difficult times, but also great times celebrating life as Darla grew in faith and joy.<\/p>\n

My life was enriched by my precious friendship with Darla. She taught me to be more peaceful, loving, and accepting. My love for Darla and gratitude for the life lessons I received from being with her transcended the heartbreak of losing her. I learned that our choices shape our lives. Will we live in love or fear? Will we be courageous or withdraw when given challenges? Will we be caring or careless with others?<\/p>\n

Here I share comical and touching tales of life with feisty Darla. I also include heartwarming stories about other amazing people with differences. Like Darla\u2019s, their stories offer insight and inspiration. They show us that differences make the world a richer place.<\/p>\n

\"American<\/a><\/p>\n

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Excerpts \u2014<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I remember walking down the hall of the hospital to visit Darla after her leg had been removed. I was very uncomfortable, literally shaking. My heart was racing. When we quietly walked into her room, my smile was weird. She couldn\u2019t look at me anyway so I let the forced smile fall. She was extremely pale and her soft blue eyes blinked as though she hoped to wake up from a bad dream. Her trauma was obvious. I longed to comfort her. I desperately wanted to say, \u201cIt will be okay,\u201d but how could I? I took a deep breath and slowly walked up to tentatively touch her hand. \u201cSorry,\u201d came out as a croak. One small teardrop escaped, sliding down her beautiful face. Suddenly, we were weeping together\u2014big, sad tears of anguish. She was a brave girl, but nobody should have to be brave all the time. Crying relieves stress. We let out all we could.<\/p>\n

Nobody wanted to talk about her lost leg. I didn\u2019t want to look at her legs either, but my curiosity was strong. I looked. I glimpsed a leg and a quarter of a leg under the sheet and looked away. My 12-year-old mind had a hard time with the reality. Then I found myself staring. It was really \u2026 gone. Flustered and not knowing what to say, I quietly sat by Darla while our mothers nervously chatted across the room, giving us time to reconnect. For several moments, we glanced at each other and looked away with a shyness, as if we were first meeting. Then a thought came to me. Was I looking at Darla\u2019s body or at Darla? With fresh understanding, I looked at her and it was okay. Not so scary. It was my turn to give her the gift of acceptance, no matter what she faced. She was still my best friend, with a difference. A missing leg\u2014a small change overall. When we think with our hearts, small differences are nothing. I smiled at her and she gave a tiny smile back. We finally talked normally and then hugged goodbye saying, \u201cSee you soon!\u201d I didn\u2019t like to see her suffering but left the hospital feeling happier.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She wouldn\u2019t have her dates or even a first kiss. So \u2026 she decided to live those things through me. Feisty little Darla gave me a smile one day. Not a sweet one\u2014one of those sly little grins that made me cringe. I lifted my eyebrows and stared, waiting for it. \u201cGo find somebody to kiss you,\u201d she said nonchalantly. \u201cHa!\u201d I squeaked, \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s that easy.\u201d \u201cWell, it can be,\u201d she said. I was willing to do an awful lot for her, but this?<\/p>\n

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Table of Contents<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Part 1 \u2013 A Deep and Precious Friendship<\/strong><\/div>\n